Post - Silicon Validation Engineer

TEKsystems is partnering with a leading semiconductor company to hirea Post Silicon Validation Engineer. This engineer will be responsible for validating cutting-edge SoC products utilized in data center and storage solutions. Candidates should have experience with SoC integration and validation, protocol debugging (PCIe, SAS/SATA), protocol trace analysis, automated test development, and hardware/software troubleshooting. This role offers the opportunity to work on advanced semiconductor technologies while collaborating with design, firmware, and product engineering teams on high-impact products.

Please see the full job description below!

Top Skills' Details

• Prior prototype SOC integration and validation experience is a must have.
• Demonstrated experience testing, debugging and problem-solving complex SOCs is a must.
• Protocol knowledge of PCIe or SAS/SATA is very important, as well as experience capturing and reviewing protocol traces.
• Defining test coverage and building, scripting, and automating complex test benches.

Job Description

Microchip's Data Center Solutions Business Unit (DCS) delivers industry-leading performance, reliability, and security in Storage Controllers, Memory Controllers, NVMe SSD Controllers, PCIe Switches, and SAS Expanders that are applied in Cloud Storage and Compute Data Centers, and Storage Area Networks.

As aValidation Engineer, you will join a group of world-class talented system integrators responsible for the bring-up, integration, and validation of cutting-edge System on a Chip (SoC) products for the Data Center Solutions Business Unit.

A Validation Engineer is responsible for designing and building infrastructure that is required to integrate and validate the SoC for its intended use models. This involves building the entire prototype ecosystem including boards, FPGAs, firmware, software, and automation suites. This environment is then integrated with internally developed test equipment, protocol analyzers, exercisers, and x86-based hardware.

A Validation Engineer develops a comprehensive test plan using design specifications, marketing requirements, and evolving standards including PCIe, CXL, DDR4/5, SAS, SATA, NAND flash, and other technologies commonly used in Cloud Data Centers, Compute Centers, and Storage Area Networks. Using the validation infrastructure and test plan, the engineer develops and executes pre-silicon and post-silicon tests that fully exercise the prototype SoC and embedded firmware.

The primary skill of validation engineers is the ability to develop and integrate complex systems, test, debug, and problem solve. On the job, you will gain an intimate understanding of protocol specifications, IP design, SOC architecture, problem isolation, and solution development. This role provides an excellent opportunity to develop deep technical expertise in leading-edge technologies.

The validation environment promotes close collaboration with Design, Firmware, Pre-Silicon Emulation, Verification, and Applications teams, while providing opportunities for growth and internal mobility.

Responsibilities

• Building and maintaining validation infrastructure through the development of boards, FPGAs, embedded software, device drivers, and test bench scripts.
• Developing block-, subsystem-, and system-level test firmware and scripts, and integrating them into best-in-class automation suites.
• Leading activities within areas of technical expertise.
• Running complex tests and conducting investigations in lab environments both onsite and remotely.
• Finding and reporting bugs while leading efforts to isolate, investigate, and resolve issues with cross-functional teams.
• Learning and dynamically applying knowledge of the device, system, protocols, and industry standards.
• Effectively presenting technical information to internal and external groups.
• Integrating prototype SoC hardware and firmware into a complete solution. This includes working with emulation platforms, prototype ICs, validation boards, firmware, and software to enable system-level functionality and firmware development.
• Developing, executing, and documenting feature tests that fully validate SoC operation, hardware blocks, and firmware to ensure compliance with design specifications, performance expectations, and industry standards.

Required Experience

• Experience in IC and SoC functional validation.
• Demonstrated expertise in specific validation subject areas.
• Experience working with prototype ICs, boards, and hardware infrastructure.
• Experience working in a lab environment and familiarity with relevant test equipment and protocol analyzers.
• Experience debugging and investigating SoCs using firmware and MIPS debug environments.
• Strong knowledge of digital systems and computer architecture.
• Strong knowledge of data communications and digital design theory.
• Strong scripting experience with Python or Tcl/Tk and proficiency in C/C++ programming.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to develop and execute functional validation plans and validation software/scripts with minimal supervision.
• Working knowledge of PCIe and/or SAS/SATA protocols and the ability to read and analyze protocol traces.
• Familiarity with DDR4/5, I2C, and SPI protocols is a plus.
• Experience defining comprehensive test coverage at the block, subsystem, and system levels using design specifications, feature requirements, and industry standards.
• Ability to quickly learn new technologies, protocols, and standards.
• Comfortable working with evolving specifications and standards.
• Strong teamwork, collaboration, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience working in Linux and Windows environments.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

Must-Haves

• Prior prototype SOC integration and validation experience.
• Demonstrated experience testing, debugging, and problem-solving complex SOCs.
• PCIe and/or SAS/SATA protocol knowledge.
• Experience capturing and reviewing protocol traces.
• Experience defining test coverage.
• Experience building, scripting, and automating complex test benches.

Key Responsibilities

• Building and maintaining validation infrastructure through the development of boards, FPGAs, embedded software, device drivers, and test bench scripts.
• Developing block-, subsystem-, and system-level test firmware and scripts and integrating them into automation suites.
• Leading technical activities within area of expertise.
• Running complex tests and investigations in lab environments.
• Finding, reporting, and resolving bugs through collaboration with cross-functional teams.
• Applying extensive knowledge of device architecture, protocols, and industry standards.
• Presenting technical findings to internal and external stakeholders.
• Integrating prototype SoC hardware and firmware into complete validation solutions.
• Developing and executing comprehensive test plans to validate SoC functionality, performance, and standards compliance.
• Experience in IC and SoC functional validation.

Employee Value Proposition (EVP)

Work on innovative semiconductor products with a global leader known for engineering excellence. Collaborate with highly skilled teams, solve complex technical challenges, and contribute to technologies used in automotive, industrial, aerospace, and AI applications while building a long-term engineering career.

Work Environment

Engineers work in a collaborative laboratory environment validating semiconductor products using specialized test equipment and automated systems. The role involves hands-on hardware testing, troubleshooting, data analysis, and close collaboration with design, product, and manufacturing engineering teams.

Business Drivers / Customer Impact

Growing product demand has significantly increased validation activities. The team is expanding its Validation Engineering organization to increase testing capacity, accelerate product development timelines, and ensure high-quality product releases while supporting multiple programs.

Why Is the Position Open?

Due to increased product development activity, the team is expanding. These additions will help meet aggressive project timelines, improve testing capacity, and support the growing validation workload.

External Communities Job Description

Local client is looking to build out their Validation Engineering team due to increased product development activity.

TEKsystems is a leading technology recruiting and services company that partners with top organizations nationwide to deliver skilled talent and innovative technology solutions. We help professionals connect with exciting opportunities across engineering, IT, cloud, cybersecurity, data, and digital transformation.